Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Thorn.
Hi Kay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised right here in the Lowcountry, and began my journey as an artist very early in life. My family will readily tell you that I’ve been singing every single day since I found out how (much to their joy). And I can personally tell you that I can’t remember a single time I’ve walked by a piano, and didn’t feel compelled to play it. Though music was and will always remain my first love, I discovered how powerful it can be when I was recruited to perform in my first stage musical at the age of 13. Throughout my teen years, I quickly fell in love with theatre and acting, and was hired in my first professional acting job at 17 in the ensemble of the Charleston Stage Company production of Hairspray (2010). Since that production, I have consistently worked throughout the local scene as an actor, accompanist, music director, and teaching artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Very few things about being an artist are easy. I think my personal biggest hurdle has been self-doubt. Sometimes it’s something so innocuous. Maybe as I’m sitting at the piano to conduct the band through a show, something in my brain says, “You’ve forgotten everything you know about playing piano.” But other times, the self-doubt is pervasive and loud. And though those moments are fewer and fewer as time goes by, it’s still tempting to give mental space and even emotional responses to the memories of the the things said by the doubtful people in my life. When those moments happen, I do my best to physically ground myself, focus on my technique, and let go of the idea of “getting it right.” My job is to bring introspection, release, and joy to my audiences. It is NOT to be perfect every single day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love the work I do currently. Since the Fall of 2020, I have worked as a music director and voice instructor at Musical Theatre Center in Mount Pleasant. Coming from the adult world of theatre, I was surprised that I find working with youth programs even more rewarding. I have been blessed to build incredible bonds with my students over the years, and seeing them grow as artists and people brings me so much more joy than I ever thought possible.
As an MD, I specialize in ensemble work, meaning I like doing the dirty work of teaching harmonies and helping my singers adjust for blend, intensity, musicality, and style. As a voice teacher, I still consider myself a developing pedagogist. My students range from advanced vocalists to burgeoning beginners. I love teaching all of my students, but I do have a special place in my heart for the students that come in with a lot to learn and overcome many challenges. Seeing their dedication to singing resonates so much with me.
I’m currently facing some bittersweet emotions about moving my work to Galway, Ireland this August. In the last couple of months that my clients and their parents have known, I have had many conversations about my relationships with my students and the legacy I am leaving behind. They all agree that my arrival to the MTC program marked a dramatic change in the singing quality of our ensembles and soloists. Even non-musicians have been able to appreciate the power and precision of our student actors. A favorite compliment I’ve received is, “They sound like tiny professionals.” And, they do. 😉
To achieve that final product, I teach a very important lesson on the first rehearsal of each semester. This is a lesson that I learned just by being in the room of my first professional rehearsal, and it makes a big difference in the way an actor approaches the material. I start the lesson by having them sing a difficult piece of harmony in parts. The first go around is always very timid and reserved. I then stop the students and ask them to think about what we just experienced together. The conclusion they all come to is that literally EVERYONE in the room is waiting on all of the other people in the room to sing out with a full voice so that they can sing out themselves. Then the student is forced to face the fact that other people are counting on them to carry their weight, the same way the student is counting on other people. This means 2 things: (1) EVERYONE must be accountable for singing their part correctly and confidently, and (2) EVERYONE has to exhibit an extreme amount of trust in the rest of the ensemble to support them. We then all agree that from then on, everyone will carry their weight when it comes to singing, and we try the difficult piece of harmony again. I call this second time the “Musical Trust Fall.” This is the first time an ensemble can prove to each other that they can trust each other. It’s an incredibly powerful and moving lesson to teach, and I never get tired of it.
And I think that lesson is one that is easily applied throughout many areas of life, but most notably, with love. It’s important for people to show up for one another, and trust that the people in their lives will show up for them. I have seen that lesson permeate throughout the lives of my students, and that is, by far, the one result of my work I am most proud of.
It speaks to my personal life priorities, the highest of which will always be my relationships. Whether it be family, friends, colleagues, or clients, it is so important for people to know what when you are talking to me, your humanity is what matters most. I think as a voice teacher, that is what sets me apart from others. I am caring for my students holistically in the sense that their mental health, wellbeing, and desires are more important to me than how well they comply with vocal technique.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Outside of theatre, I also have a long history of singing with professional choirs in many different venues (such as Carnegie Hall) and some legendary Conductors/Composers (such as Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridson). I am also a Certified Human Resources Professional and I like to sew funky outfits in my free time (which I have none of).
Also, I am hosting Irish Goodbye: A Farewell Concert benefitting the transition of Kay Thorn Music Studio and the scholarship program at Musical Theatre Center. It will be July 24th at The Queen Street Playhouse in Downtown Charleston. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:00pm!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kaythornmusic.com
- Instagram: kayjthorn
- Other: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/kay-thorn-music-studio/irish-goodbye
